Ashlie Ortega

Question: This is your second season with CSU. What has been the biggest difference between playing in the Mountain West and the Big 12?

Answer: Itís just really a different type of pitching, different systems, things like that. Itís just different with the D-I level the Big 12 is at and where we are, but with us playing Texas A&M, we showed we could hang with them. There are differences, but itís just softball.

Q: Your team almost knocked off No. 10 Texas A&M last week. Was that a chance to show what the Rams are capable of?

A: For sure. It was a great experience, being out of our element and going to a top program with their home-field advantage. That was an eye-opener for us. There were things there you just donít experience anywhere else, like the fans ó they had 400 ROTC guys there yelling ó it was really an advantage for them, but it showed us we canít let the distractions bother us. Playing on a big field like A&M, itís cool, but itís about who comes and shows up. Your preparation is going to prepare you, but on game day itís about who shows up.

Q: Whyíd you decide to transfer from Missouri to CSU, a school that doesnít have near the same softball facilities as where you were?

A: Colorado is home. It was a good fit. The biggest thing when I was transferring was finding a place that fit for me. Coming off injury, coming off being a role player and becoming an everyday starter, thatís honestly what it was ófinding a place that was the best fit.

Q: Whatís working with coach Jen Fisher like?

A: Sheís awesome. Her and I have a great relationship. Thatís huge, just finding the right coach for you, because you have find someone you can work with. We both hate to lose, we both want the same thing, we want to win. The biggest thing that sets her aside is that sheís totally about us as players. She cares about our academics, but personally, too.

Q: CSU is off to a great start in conference play with a 4-2 record. Can your team legitimately contend for a Mountain West title?

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A: Oh yeah. Now that we saw San Diego State lost a game, thatís an eye-opener for us to have our foot in the door. Weíre (4-2) already and have to stick to the plan. We have the preparation throughout the week and then game day comes. Weíre for sure in it, and coming out and surprising everyone last year, we definitely have a target on our backs, so itís about bringing the level up a notch. We have a good shot.

Q: Youíre hitting the ball a little better than last year ó definitely better for power with five home runs ó whatís been the biggest difference this season with your bat?

A: Itís all about the preparation. Iíve never been a home-run hitter, they come and go, but a lot of them have just been line-drive shots out. A lot of it has just been seeing the ball and getting into good counts. I think the biggest thing thatís different from last year is working the counts to my advantage and being more picky. Thatís huge.

Q: Whatís your walk-up song?

A: Itís called ďDanza KuduroĒ by Don Omar.

Q: Whatís your favorite place in Fort Collins to eat?

A: Itís gotta be Snooze. You get there at breakfast, OMG french toast, when the red velvet pancakes are in season, those are good, but Iím doing the coffee and doughnuts diet right now.

Q: Whatís your favorite TV show?

A: Thatís tough. Iíd probably have to say ďThe Walking Dead,Ē ďBreaking Bad,Ē I like those shows. ďSpartacusĒ is a good one. Well, I guess thatís three shows.

Q: What do you want to do after softball?

A: Iíve got a lot going on. Iíll be graduating in December as a liberal arts major, criminology minor. Iíll be getting my CNA next year and working on my masters. Iím doing a lot. Eventually, I want to get into coaching.